What Real-World Tools Will You Learn About in the Online Master of Science in Computer Science?

The computer science field is expanding. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), overall employment in computer and information technology occupations should grow faster than average through 2032 due to increased technology adoption and digitalization. 

The 2023 Future of Jobs Report reveals that most of the fastest-growing occupations involve technology, with artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning specialists topping the list with 40 percent growth in demand. The report also predicts a 30 to 35 percent increase in demand for data analysts and scientists, big data specialists, business intelligence analysts, database and network professionals, and data engineers. This surge stems from advancements and increased adoption of frontier technologies relying on big data.

Computer science professionals need specialized skills related to emerging technologies to take advantage of this growth and remain competitive in the job market. Continue reading to learn how an online Master of Science in Computer Science at Case Western Reserve University can help you develop your competitive edge.

Mastering Modern Tools & Techniques: Preparing for Today’s Computer Science Careers

Enrolling in a Master of Science in Computer Science (MSCS) program can help you build skills and competencies to advance your career. CWRU’s online MSCS teaches students technical knowledge while exposing them to emerging industry challenges and innovations. 

The program offers two tracks, making the degree accessible to students at different levels of technical experience. The pathways track caters to mid-level professionals with a strong science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) background who want to transition into computer science. The advanced track targets professionals with an agile STEM background and a strong computer science foundation who wish to enhance their skill sets. 

All CWRU online MSCS students (regardless of their chosen track) develop critical competencies in four industry-relevant areas: AI, databases and data mining, security and privacy, and software engineering. Continue reading to learn more about the tools you can master that align with these core competencies when you complete an online MSCS. 

Data Mining Tools & Skills

Data mining involves sorting through large data sets to identify patterns and relationships. These insights help companies predict future trends and make informed business decisions. Many industries use data mining. Financial institutions apply data mining techniques to uncover suspicious patterns and anomalies in transaction data to prevent fraud. In healthcare, data mining supports predictive analytics, such as identifying patients at risk of certain diseases based on their medical history and lifestyle data.

The CWRU online MSCS includes a course dedicated to data mining. Coursework covers data warehouse and online analytical preprocessing (OLAP) technology and data mining techniques such as data preprocessing, classification and prediction, and cluster analysis. 

Artificial Intelligence Tools & Skills 

AI adoption has grown steadily over the past few years, with almost 60 percent of IT professionals at companies deploying or exploring AI indicating that their company has increased investments in or expanded the rollout of AI over the past 24 months. The online MSCS curriculum includes these AI courses to prepare students to take advantage of this growth:

• “Introduction to Artificial Intelligence” covers problem-solving with search, constraint satisfaction, adversarial games, knowledge representation, reasoning using propositional and first-order logic, reasoning under uncertainty, introduction to machine learning, automated planning, reinforcement learning and natural language processing.
• “Analysis of Algorithms” explores fundamental algorithm design and analysis topics. You will learn about amortized analysis, NP-completeness and reductions, dynamic programming, advanced graph algorithms, string algorithms, geometric algorithms and local search heuristics.
• “Computational Perception” examines signal detection and processing; sound localization; motion perception and estimation; sensory coding; perception of structure; active perception; perceptual invariance; attention; object, sound and speech recognition; and visual and auditory scene analysis.

Given the rapid growth in AI, you can also expect to find the topic covered tangentially in other courses and discussions.

Programming Tools & Skills 

U.S. News & World Report’s list of 100 Best Jobs ranks software developers third; the BLS expects employment of software developers to grow by 26 percent through 2032. This attractive career path offers a median yearly income of around $130,000.

Becoming a software developer requires proficiency in programming languages and tools. The CWRU online MSCS curriculum includes two programming language courses. “Programming Language Concepts” exposes students to the four main programming paradigms (imperative, object-oriented, functional and logical) and aspects such as language syntax, semantics, names/scopes, types, expressions, assignment, subprograms, abstraction and inheritance.  

The hands-on “High Performance Data and Computing” covers practical skills and tools, such as parallel programming, HADOOP, general-purpose GPU computing and Linux scripting.

Computer Networking Tools & Skills 

Computer networking enables communication and resource sharing between devices and systems in various environments, from homes to global enterprises. It facilitates efficient data exchange, collaboration and resource access, ultimately driving productivity, innovation and connectivity in the digital age.

CWRU’s online MSCS includes computer networking courses that expose students to HTTP, FTP, email, DNS, socket programming, UDP, TCP, reliable data transfer, IP, routing, NAT, taxonomy and Ethernet.

Information Security Tools & Skills

According to the World Economic Forum, the global cybersecurity industry needs four million professionals to fill the talent gap as online attacks grow increasingly complex and unpredictable. If you are interested in a career in security and privacy, CWRU’s online MSCS can help you gain the skills to succeed.

The program curriculum specifically covers these issues. “Smartphone Security” focuses on security issues and solutions concerning mobile platforms, including permission analysis, textual artifacts analysis, malware analysis, program analysis and UI analysis. In “Data Privacy,” you can expect to learn about crypto-based solutions for privacy; hiding data from the database user; hiding access patterns from the database owner; anonymous routing and TOR; privacy in online social networks, cellular and Wi-Fi networks; location privacy; privacy in e-cash systems; privacy in e-voting and genomic privacy.

Advance Your Computer Science Career with an MSCS from Case Western Reserve Online

Whether you are interested in pursuing a career in AI, data mining, security and privacy, computer networking or software engineering, CWRU’s online MSCS can help you gain the skills and expertise to succeed. At CWRU, the online program features an industry-relevant curriculum taught by faculty members engaged in cutting-edge research within the broader Case School of Engineering. Students benefit from up-to-date industry insights and the latest innovative thinking as the professors bring their practical experience to the classroom.

The CWRU online learning experience helps you collaborate with and learn from peers through discussion boards and live study sessions. Online students can also get involved with school and student organizations and initiatives, like the HackCWRU annual student-run hackathon, that enable them to develop their skills, receive coaching and mentoring, and build their professional networks.

Next Steps: How to Get Started at CWRU Online

Are you ready to take advantage of the industry’s growth and accelerate your computer science career? Earning your Master of Science in Computer Science provides a proven pathway to building the expertise needed to take on new challenges.

Connect with an enrollment adviser to learn more about the CWRU online MSCS, or start your application if you are ready to move forward.